Recycle used printer cartridges

Entrepreneur

About Me

My name is Ali Mbaji, born in Kilifi County in Coast region of Kenya. I was born in a family of 7 by my parents who are casual laborers. I grew up through hard life due to meager resources that my family had. Through relatives and well wishers, I managed to attend school where I reached secondary level. I will always be grateful to them for making such a big difference in my life.

After school, I moved to Mombasa town to live with a friend while looking for something to sustain me in the harsh urban life. I was employed as a casual in industrial area of Mombasa town. I worked in many industries while at the same time enrolled for a course in computer hardware maintenance.

I am married with one child.

My Business

My business deals with repair and maintenance of computer hardware. I specialized in computer printers and I started my own workshop where I do the repair work.
I normally support commercial companies, schools as well as home users. To supplement my income I also sell printer toner and ink cartridges.

The business generates about $350 a month and this is what supports my family and my other expenses. I recently started retailing printer cartridges and the results are very encouraging. However, due to a wide variety of the printers in the market (different printers use different cartridges) I need to have a big stock of the same.

Loan Proposal

My country Kenya is currently experiencing a digital explosion. Almost every institution is using computers and their accessories. While this has increased efficiency, there are some challenges that have come with this change. One of them is managing e-waste as most consumers are not yet aware of dangers of e-waste. To most of them, this toxic waste is just like any other and they dispose it without the necessary precautions.

In my own small way, I try to sensitize them on the proper disposal of the waste and I encourage them to recycle where possible. My main focus is toner and ink cartridges which I buy from them and give them an option of refilling them at about half the price of buying a new one.

If this loan is fully funded I will use the money to expand my recycling business where I will buy more used cartridges and buy toner (the stuff for re-filling) and ink. My budget for this exercise is USD 200 and that is what I am asking from you. Thank you and lets keep our environment clean.

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